§ DR. FITZGERALD (Longford, S.)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland, in reference to the removal of Mr. Jasper Tully, editor of the Roscommon Herald, from Sligo Gaol to Tullamore Gaol, if he can state what is the usual custom in regard to the removal of a prisoner from one gaol to another; and what was the reason for the removal of Mr. Tully in this case?
§ *MR. MADDENI am informed that the usual custom is that in any case where a prisoner's connections or associations with a district are such as, in the opinion of the General Prisons Board, to be calculated to interfere with the due maintenance of discipline in the local prison, his transfer to another prison is made. On this general principle the transfer of Mr. Jasper Tully from Sligo to Tullamore was carried out.
§ MR. DILLONThis question about the conduct of Magistrates in inflicting short sentences in order to deny to the prisoner the right of appeal has been 317 frequently raised, and I would ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether, as responsible head of the administration of the law in Ireland, he will express an opinion to the Magistrates that they ought not, in cases of a political complexion, to deprive prisoners of the right of appeal?
§ *MR. MADDENI should be going entirely beyond my duty if I expressed such an opinion.
§ MR. MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the applications for increases of sentences are usually opposed by the Crown?
§ *MR. MADDENNo, I am not aware of any such usual course.
§ MR. MACNEILLThen I am.
§ MR. J. F. X. O'BRIENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Act was obtained on the express understanding that an appeal should be allowed in every case?
§ *MR. MADDENNo.